Ellen DeGeneres: proud of what she, daytime TV show achieved

LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres relishes what her daytime show has given viewers in its nearly two-decade run, a blend of the silly, sometimes earnest and, particularly in the last few years, a respite from hard times. With taping recently concluded, DeGeneres could heed the advice offered by another famous ex-talk show host and her friend, Oprah Winfrey, who’s on the episode airing Tuesday. DeGeneres has production deals in place and “ideas I want to do,” said the actor and comedian who’s been part of movies and TV series, including her groundbreaking 1990s sitcom “Ellen,” the first network show with a gay or lesbian lead character. DeGeneres has invited viewers “to get to know and understand LGBTQ youth, transgender people, and in doing so, she reminded millions of people that our community still faces many challenges and inequalities.” DeGeneres spoke recently with The Associated Press about why her Daytime Emmy-winning show worked and an encounter she had with giggling young fans, and she reflected on her influence. I’m really grateful that I became a talk show host, that I get to be myself every single day versus if I would have continued acting, playing different roles all the time.